Woffinden is currently third in the standings on 113 points, and realistically that is probably the best he can finish.

He trails second-placed Patryk Dudek by 13 points, so although he could overhaul the Pole, it will be a tall order.

Dudek is the only person who can deny Jason Doyle winning his first world title.

The Aussie looked to be heading to World Championship glory last year before his season was cruelly curtailed with a big crash in Torun which meant he missed the final round in his homeland.

Although Doyle has ridden part of this series with a broken foot he has been the model of consistency and with a 14-point lead you would expect him to wrap up the Championship in Melbourne, barring an injury.

It is a title that few would begrudge him after his misfortune for last year.

But for Woffinden he needs to be wary of the competition behind him in the standings with a trio of riders easily capable of overhauling him.

Tai Woffinden

Maciej Janowski sits only two points behind the Scunthorpe-born rider, while Russian Emil Sayfutdinov is only six points adrift.

There is also Bartosz Zmarzlik in the mix who is currently sixth with 108.

Woffinden knows he will have to be at the top of his game to remain in the medal positions.

“I’ve tried to stay positive all season, that’s my mentality, even when things haven’t quite been going as well as they should have been,” he said.

“I’m positive going into Melbourne, I’ve got a real chance of a medal and at least that will be something to take from the season.

“I hate coming second but that’s the best I can achieve this year now so that’s the aim, if not then a bronze medal will do – but a poor night and I will finish fifth or sixth.

Tai Woffinden

“I like the track at the Etihad and obviously I enjoy being back in Australia because I spent so long here as a child.

“I’ve got a few mates coming along on Saturday and it would be nice to do well in front of them, but I also want my British fans to have something to celebrate.”

Whatever the result, Woffinden will definitely have something to celebrate in the next few weeks with his wife Faye expecting a baby girl.

“It’s a quick trip for me this time with my wife expecting our first child next month – so there’s lots to look forward to,” Woffinden added.